Intel targets high-end server market

R Subramanyam, TNNJul 31, 2002, 12.45am IST

BANGALORE: Intel on Monday unveiled its early access programme aimed at converting software developers to the Intel platform.

Having captured the personal computer market, Intel is attempting to push its 32-bit Xeon processor and 64-bit Itanium processors to corporates where proprietary systems run mission critical applications.

Getting software developers to use Intel processor-based systems to develop applications also helps as these solutions can showcase the scalability and reliability of Intel architecture.

GB Kumar, general manager, internet solutions group at Intel Asia, said that early access programme has been launched in the US and UK too.

Many enterprise customers use servers that run on Intel's 32-bit processor. Market research firm IDC points out that around 88% of the servers sold feature Intel's Pentium or Xeon processors. However, most of these severs are low-end ones. Intel is focusing on the high-end server market where the company is yet to make a mark. The high end server space is the most lucrative one as severs here are priced at $1m plus.

Intel has been working aggressively to court hardware makers, application developers, system integrators and service providers to adopt its offerings.

The early access program is in line with this strategy.

Besides Infosys, software developers like Pramati, Persistent Systems and Bind View have been enrolled to the early access program. More developers are being targeted said Mr Kumar.

For the one time $500 fee that software developers pay to be a part of the program they get remote access to hardware running on Intel's high-end processors on which they can run and test their applications, besides a host of other benefits like discounts on hardware from leading computer makers, technical support, and training and consulting at discounted prices from Intel's solution centres.

They also get new software and tools and get to be a part of Intel developer solutions catalogue and participate in Intel's developer logo program, said Mr Kumar.